Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Gina Murrell

SunRaUniverse @sunrauniverse.bsky.social · 17h

Remembering Pharoah Sanders
Sun Ra Arkestra alumnus - Tenor Saxophone - October 13 1940 – September 24 2022 - He travels the spaceways from planet to planet.

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TransLash Media @translash.org · 8h

We honor the legacy of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a fierce protector of our collective freedom. Our hearts are with her loved ones and all who carry her vision forward.

"We will honor Miss Major forever." - @imarajones.bsky.social

An illustration of Miss Major surrounded by candles with blue background and a famous quote of hers written in gold. The quote reads“I don’t need their permission to exist; I exist in spite of them. I want you to train and teach and love on and create families within my community and gender non-conforming people, so that we can understand that we have a culture, we have a history, we have a reason to be here. We have a purpose. We’re entitled to be loved, and seek happiness, and share that with the people that we care about.” -Miss Major Griffin-Gracy

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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 7h

Miss Major has passed away. We've lost an icon for the ages. Rest in power.

Alt text:
Miss Major with long wavy gray hair sits outdoors in a chair, wearing a brightly colored geometric-patterned dress. She looks thoughtful and serene, with her hands resting in her lap. Trees and plants surround her in the background, giving the scene a peaceful setting. The image appears as a social media post with text and engagement icons below.

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 7h

CORRECTION: Reports are saying she was 78. #MissMajor #RestInPower

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 7h

When I learned she was in hospice care, I knew it wouldn’t be long. She changed lives, and the impact she made in her long life will continue to change lives for generations to come. THAT’S a legacy. #MissMajor #RestInPower

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 7h

Rest in power, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. ✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️

I feel fortunate to have been in the same room with her, hearing her speak to a standing-room-only crowd, last fall in New York City.

At 84, Miss Major was still full of spice, full of spark, and brimming with hard-won wisdom that she eagerly shared. 💐💜

Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · Nov 12

Tonight in #NYC, I saw Miss Major, the 84-year-old “veteran of the Stonewall Riots, former sex worker, and trans elder and activist who survived Bellevue psychiatric hospital, Attica, [and] the HIV/AIDS crisis.” She spoke at St. Mark’s Church. www.poetryproject.org/events/miss-... #QTPOC #LGBTQIA

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, aka Miss Major, speaking at the Poetry Project event at St. Mark’s Church in the East Village in NYC on Monday, November 11, 2024.

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Zinn Education Project @zinnedproject.bsky.social · 20h

#tdih 1792, U.S. White House cornerstone laid.

FEDERAL GOV'T used ENSLAVED LABOR for "all aspects of construction, including carpentry, masonry, carting, plastering, glazing, painting & the grueling work of sawing logs and stones.” #theft

🧵Read ⬇️
www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/wh...

Oct. 13, 1792: White House Cornerstone Laid

The White House cornerstone was laid. Among those who constructed the building were African Americans, both free and enslaved.

www.zinnedproject.org

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Chantal James @chantalalive.blacksky.app · 13h

Y'all ain't getting free until Black people are getting free. Sorry, tough cookies! It's because you hate seeing us free so bad you're in such a pickle.

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andré carrington @andrecarrington.bsky.social · 1d

Need everybody to bring the same fire they had for Jimmy Kimmel to this

ProfKori @profkori.bsky.social · 1d

✅ He fired a U.S. Attorney who refused to bring charges against her
✅ He replaced them with someone with NO prosecutorial experience

This isn't justice. This is retaliation.

When Black women do their jobs with excellence, they face attacks. But AG James isn't backing down, and neither should we.

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Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 20h

Police officers who publicly declare that they’ll quit if a mayoral candidate they dislike wins the election are (1) usually bluffing—sure buddy, toss away that paycheck and pension—and (2) exactly the sort of cops cities would be better off without, ones who don’t see themselves as public servants.

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Louis Römer @lromeranth.bsky.social · 16h

As far as I can tell there is no “Mandani” running for Mayor of New York City

@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 17h

CBS News would never put a thinly sourced 'story' by a rookie blogger like this on it's air. Until now. The Free Press isn't a journalism outlet, it's bloggers aren't reporters. This piece is more NYPost than Tiffany Network but I guess that's the goal.

www.cbsnews.com/video/some-n...

Some NYPD officers worry about Mandani becoming the NYC mayor, The Free Press reports

The Free Press spoke to several New York City Police Department officers who are worried about Zohran Mamdani becoming mayor. Olivia Reingold joins CBS News with more.

www.cbsnews.com

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 10h

Nixon took advantage of the moment (and of the construction workers, who saw themselves as "patriots") by shifting political gears to cater to (manipulate) blue collar workers as a means to push through a conservative agenda, a strategy still used today. Fascinating, infuriating #documentary. #NYC

Black-and-white photo of hard hats on top of a long wood table in a room at the White House. One hard hat at the front of the table has a label on the front that says "Nixon."

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 10h

Waving pro-Nixon signs and US flags, these (white male) blue-collar workers marched en masse to Wall Street, site of the antiwar protest, and attacked peaceful protesters as the NYPD looked on. Then the mob made its way to City Hall, where the melee continued. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Ha... #NYC

Black-and-white photo of several white male construction workers, wearing hard hats and hoisting US flags and protest signs that say "We Support Nixon on Vietnam," weaving there way into a crowd.

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 10h

Yesterday, I watched American Experience Films #documentary Hard Hat Riot (2025), streaming on PBS. Directed by Marc Levin, the doc covers when, on May 8, 1970, 400 #NYC construction workers descended upon a peaceful antiwar protest and were allowed to beat up protesters. www.pbs.org/wgbh/america...

$Promo image for the American Experience Films documentary Hard Hat Riot (with subtitle "The clash over Vietnam that swung blue collars to the right"). There is an illustration of a white hard hat with a US flag across it, and it and the flag are fractured down the middle.$

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Andrew Epstein @andrewepstein.bsky.social · 17h

This Thursday, there will be a Zoom talk between Matthew Holman & John Yau about Holman's new book, "Frank O'Hara & MoMA: New York Poet, Global Curator," hosted by the Network for New York School Studies @nysnetwork.bsky.social. See here for details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matthew-ho...

Matthew Holman's Frank O'Hara & MoMA: an NNYSS book launch! (with John Yau)

The Network for New York School Studies presents the online launch of Matthew Holman's 'Frank O'Hara and MoMA' with Matthew and John Yau.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Ursula K. Le Guin @ursulakleguin.com · Sep 4

Andrea Hairston (@andreahairston.bsky.social) introduces and reads from her novel Archangels of Funk, which is shortlisted for the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction.

For more about this year's shortlist: www.ursulakleguin.com/prize25

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KEW @kidadaewilliams.com · 1d

John Wilson was an influential lithographer, sculptor, painter, muralist, and art teacher. He became a powerful voice for social justice and equality in a world wrought with struggle and injustice. His artistic work is on display at the Met Museum in NYC. fineartglobe.com/artists/john...

John Wilson at The Met: A Landmark Exhibition of an American Visionary - Fine Art Globe

The Met presents the largest John Wilson exhibition, showcasing over 100 works that illuminate Black life, social justice, and the power of art.

fineartglobe.com

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Lit Hub @literaryhub.bsky.social · 4d

Pat Lipsky remembers the alliances, rivalries, and New York art world clout at Max’s Kansas City in the 70’s.

A Night at Max’s Kansas City: Seeing and Being Seen in the 1970s NYC Art World

There were two choices for dinner at Max’s Kansas City: lobster or steak. I always ordered steak. My boyfriend favored lobster. He never paid the tab. After a year or so he gave the owner a sculptu…

buff.ly

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Sheli Wellington, MEd @sheliwaili.blacksky.app · 3d

A turkey club?

ᴾᵃᵖⁱ ᴄʜɪᴄʜᴏꜱ ᴬᵏᵃ ꜱʜᴀᴍɪʀ ᴍᴏᴏʀᴇ 🥷⃤ @igotyoedges.blacksky.app · 3d

Yall hitting the club tonight??

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 1d

Though the Club Shelter crowd was older, like 30s and 40s. Whereas Motherf💋cker generally was under 35. I also went to Opaline, on Ave A and 6th St. That was a lot of FUN. Danced to punk and pop music. Another wonderfully mixed crowd. And there were a couple of go-go dancers. yelp.to/wIDXvBHPVv #NYC

Opaline - New York, NY

3 reviews of OPALINE - CLOSED "This party used to rule. Used to rule cause it used to exist. It is no longer open, and hasn't been since like 2005? It is dearly missed now that it has moved to its vile midtown location."

yelp.to

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 1d

From what I recall, Motherf💋cker DJs played glam rock, punk, and new wave, and maybe some garage rock. I also remember Club Shelter, which played 1970s and ‘80s funk, soul, and R&B. Both Motherf💋cker and Club Shelter drew a mixed crowd, racially and ethically, and were very queer-friendly. #NYC

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Gina Murrell @ginamurrell1.bsky.social · 1d

I’ve never considered myself a club person, but in the early 2000s in #NYC, I enjoyed dancing at a few clubs. So I’d say 2004-05 was my last time. And I enjoy dancing!

I liked Motherf💋cker, a dance party that was on holidays (July 4, NYE, etc.) at Manhattan venues. www.instagram.com/motherfucker...

Club card, from my personal collection, promoting a New Year’s Eve 2004 edition of the dance party Motherfucker. The visual is a glossy pair of slightly parted red lips against a black background.

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Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio @rlmartstudio.bsky.social · 1d

This week in 1988: 1,000+ ACT UP demonstrators shut down the FDA headquarters, demanding (and eventually winning) action on developing HIV/AIDS treatments. ACT UP's militant and creative actions always included powerful visual artwork, and paved the way for movements in the decades to come.

A photograph from the 1988 ACT UP demonstration outside the FDA. Many people are participating in a die-in on the front steps, holding mock tombstones with messages like "RIP - killed by the FDA" and "Dead from lack of drugs." A line of police officers (some with classic 80s mustaches) wearing riot helmets stands between them and the building; one cop wearing white gloves is walking through the demonstrators. Affixed to the 2nd story windows of the building is a series of posters and a large blank banner reading Silence = Death.

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Steven W. Thrasher is finishing The Overseer Class @thrasherxy.bsky.social · 1d

Pro tip to reporters and protesters: always have swim goggles in your pockets or bags. They’re small, $10 and if tear gas is used, slip them on & no matter how much you cough, you’ll still be able to SEE without burning eyes.

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Rise Up for Justice @riseupforjustice.bsky.social · 1d

#Respect #RestInPower
Jesse L. Douglas, Aide to King in Marches From Selma, Is Dead at 90.

A lieutenant to Martin Luther King Jr. and a fellow preacher, he played a vital role in organizing voting-rights protests in 1965 that began with “Bloody Sunday.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...

Jesse L. Douglas, Aide to King in Marches From Selma, Is Dead at 90

www.nytimes.com

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